With everyone and their mama booking stays in picturesque historic neighborhoods and making reservations at the buzzed-about new restaurants, sticking close to home has never sounded so good. Southern cities are making a name for themselves as vibrant hubs of incredible regional cuisine, culture, music, and design. Not only are some fresh new Southern cities stepping onto the scene, but some longtime favorites are back and better than ever—a testament to their lasting power and effervescent draw. Travelers are flocking to the South in search of our signature food, drink, and scenery; and all we can think is, who can blame them?

In these Southern cities, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a meal you don’t love or a historic square that doesn’t permeate charm and tradition. Experience firsthand the classic and debonair flair of Savannah and Charleston; the young and industrial spirit of Nashville and San Antonio; or the quirky and laidback attitude of Asheville and Chattanooga. Take a stroll through cobblestone streets that might feel European, but definitely smell of the smoky aroma of barbecue or the sweet scent of blooming magnolias. Sit a spell on a sunny day along the river with an iced tea or at the brewery with a cold one. Odds are, you’ll run into a few old friends, and make a few new. These cities are the blood running through the veins to the heart of the South. From a glance, it might seem too good to be true; but trust us when we say that each more than lives up to the hype.

Southerners have hometown pride stronger and truer than the tides, and we have the pleasure of feeling that pride for the whole region. On the list of the South’s best cities for 2018...

#5. Greenville, SC

Home is where the heart is. Whether you’re currently living in South Carolina or have lived here in the past, there’s no doubt your heart is in the Palmetto State. That’s because South Carolina is the best place to live in America.

What is it they say? “You can take yourself out of South Carolina, but you can never take South Carolina out of you.” Here are 16 reasons why South Carolina is the best state.

1. We definitely have some gorgeous mountains...
and the views to match!

2. More than 20 of the most amazing beaches you've ever seen...
all within hours, or even minutes, from your front door.

3. With 47 South Carolina State Parks...
you can pick a new one to explore every weekend!

4. Everyone is dedicated to historic preservation.

5. The people in South Carolina are the heart and soul of this great state...
and that truly makes South Carolina the BEST place to live.

6. Great patio dining spots...
make the arrival of Spring even sweeter.

7. South Carolina has some of the BEST Main Streets in the country!

8. And waterfront dining all over the state with great views...
makes South Carolina a great place to live or visit.

9. We have the BEST sunrises...

10. and best sunsets in the world!

11. South Carolina is full of secret spots in nature where you can just relax.

12. There are countless places in the Palmetto State that will bring out the explorer in anyone.

Despite the benefits of homeownership, there's one huge drawback to owning property in retirement, and it's committing yourself to a variable expense while living on a fixed income. Even if your mortgage itself is paid off by the time you enter retirement, you'll still have property taxes to contend with. And those have a tendency to rise over time, even during periods when home values don't follow suit.

There's also maintenance and repairs to think about, and that's where a lot of retirees who own homes get into trouble. The average homeowner spends 1% to 4% of his or her home's value on standard annual upkeep. Now being a retiree doesn't automatically mean you'll own an aging home. But if yours is on the older side, you should plan on hitting the top end of that range, which could really eat into your limited budget.

Furthermore, while that 1% to 4% range applies to regular maintenance, it doesn't include major repairs that could spring up on you without notice. I'm talking about things like your heating system going kaput or a pipe bursting in your basement -- expenses that could really hurt you financially when your income doesn't allow for too many surprises.

And there lies the danger of owning a home in retirement: You just don't know what to expect. And while renting certainly isn't without risk -- you could see your rent go up from year to year or find yourself suddenly on the hunt for a new home when your landlord unexpectedly decides to sell -- when you rent, you lock yourself into a fixed cost for the duration of your lease. Sign a series of long-term, affordable leases, and you eliminate much of the worry that comes with owning.

Ultimately, the decision to own a home during retirement boils down to how much risk you're willing to take on. If you love your home, adore your neighborhood, and don't want to deal with the hassle and uncertainly of renting, then by all means, stay in your home. Just make sure you have a decent chunk of savings -- both emergency and otherwise -- to protect yourself from the various unknowns involved.

Located in the northwest region of South Carolina, Greenville offers many unique attractions. Great museums, we have it; great music scene, live events, and festivals –check; beautiful parks, outdoor activities, family-friendly destinations – many.

Downtown Greenville, SC

It’s hard to describe Downtown Greenville in a few words. Downtown Greenville is full of exciting things to do and see. From restaurants, nightlife, theater and museums, there’s just always something to do here. Downtown Greenville is the Upstate’s most popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. And it’s living up to its name because it has received a lot of recognitions and award from various national publications over the years: Top 10 Best Downtowns in the country (Livability); Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in the U.S. (CNN Money); 3rd Strongest Job Market, 2010 (Bloomberg); 13th Best City for Young Professionals (Forbes).

Greenville SC’s downtown is the perfect place to soak up the excitement because day and night, the city center buzzes with energy and opportunities. Dowtown Greenville offers wide sidewalks, streetside dining, outdoor plazas, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, lush tree-lined Main Street, gorgeous Falls Park where you can see the award-winning Liberty Bridge, and more.

Here you will find locals, downtown Greenville residents, and visitors among a multitude of restaurants, shops, performance venues, museums, and galleries.

Strong Economy

Home to a diverse range of business and industry, Greenville County has grown into a large and diverse metropolitan area and considered to be the ‘economic engine of South Carolina’.

Greenville market may be considered a medium-sized market, but it has more corporate headquarters than any other region in the state. We have Fortune 500 companies including 3M, Lockheed, and GE. Businesses are drawn to Greenville because of low tax rates, market accessibility, and excellent workforce.

As further proof of Greenville’s strong economic growth, Greenville County has produced 8,940 new jobs and over $1.2 Billion in new capital investment in the last five years.

Strip Steak with Rosemary Butter is a great option for smaller 4th of July celebrations. After all, you don’t want to be tied to the grill all night. Seasoned strip steaks hot off the grill pair perfectly with rosemary and lemon-infused butter. Our recipe makes four servings, but adjust to suit your guest list. Top each steak with Rosemary Butter and serve with a fresh cucumber salad and oven-roasted potatoes. Lemon rind gives the Rosemary Butter a fresh flavor that pairs wonderfully with the steaks. This recipe might look time consuming on first glance but, with just 15 minutes of prep time and 8 minutes at the grill, it will come together quicker than you think.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons grated lemon rind, divided

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 (6-oz.) beef strip steaks (1/2 inch thick)

How to Make It

Step 1

Stir together butter, rosemary, 1 tsp. grated lemon rind, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve.